Panasonic Kit Lens Versions

Are there multiple versions of the panasonic 14-45mm lens? I was just wondering because the price of the 14-45mm vary dramatically in the mu-43 marketplace. I want to make sure I am not paying too much.

Better than the 14-42, not as good as the 14-45, and less than half the depth of either (when retracted). Get it for the size though. Not enough of a difference on IQ to be worth the price (14-45 is a much better buy in that respect).

According to what I've been reading, yeah, it's a bit better. I'm a bit of a prime lens snob these days though, so all the kit lenses get lumped in the same bucket in my eyes

I can see the value of a superzoom since it allows you to have a full range at a moment's notice, but I've never been thrilled with the image quality that comes from them. High quality fixed-aperture zooms are a totally different story (like my beloved 7-14mm and maybe the f/2.8 X lenses that are coming out), but those are usually an order of magnitude more expensive and still don't produce the same bokeh and character as a good prime.

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